Miners walk off job again

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AFTER 16 months union members and mining giant BMA are still unable to come to a workable agreement.

The two have been at loggerheads over failed Enterprise Agreement and negotiations broke down for the second time in as many months on Tuesday. About 4000 BMA workers are on strike across seven of the company's mines and it is not known when industrial action will end.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) president Steve Smyth claims BMA reneged on already agreed upon clauses and workers have had enough.

Meanwhile, BMA president Stephen Dumble said the company would take the agreement to a worker ballot in April.

"It's extremely frustrating," Mr Smyth said yesterday. "Through (previous) negotiations we had agreed BMA was allowed to trial different rosters but they were only allowed to implement them if the majority of workers agreed. They have changed that and are going to implement whatever rosters they want."

Union bosses will meet with their regional representatives next week to discuss the issue.

BMA's action in taking the agreement to worker ballot could be risky, as the last time they did this a whopping 92% of workers rejected the agreement, Mr Smyth said.

Mr Dumble, however, said taking the agreement to the workers was the only course of action for the company after discussions had again broken down.

"The benefits of the agreement are competitive and provide a pathway to a better future," he said. "BMA will be asking employees to judge whether the agreement provides a fair and competitive outcome for them, their families and their future."

Reader poll

Is industrial action by BMA employees justified?

This poll ended on 05 April 2012.

Yes - 64%

No - 35%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.